Fittonia plant named ‘Forest Flame’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Fittonia  plant named ‘Forest Flame’ that is characterized by small green leaves with red veins.

Botanical classification: Fittonia verschaffeltii.

Variety denomination: ‘Forest Flame’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Fittoniaplant botanically known as Fittonia verschaffeltii and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Forest Flame’.

The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a cultivated area ofHaaren, The Netherlands in 2002. ‘Forest Flame’ was discovered as anaturally occurring whole plant mutation of Fittonia verschaffeltii‘Josan’ (not patented).

Asexual reproduction by terminal cuttings of the new cultivar ‘ForestFlame’ was first done in 2002 in Haaren, The Netherlands. Since thattime, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newFittonia cultivar ‘Forest Flame’.

-   -   1. Fittonia ‘Forest Flame’ exhibits green leaves with red veins.    -   2. Fittonia ‘Forest Flame’ exhibits small leaves.

The closest comparison cultivar is the parent Fittonia ‘Josan’. The newcultivar ‘Forest Flame’ is distinguishable from ‘Josan’ by the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Forest Flame’ has a more compact habit than ‘Josan’.    -   2. ‘Forest Flame’ has leaf margins that are wavier than ‘Josan’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofFittonia ‘Forest Flame’. The plant in the photograph shows an overallview of a 12 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Fittonia cultivarnamed ‘Forest Flame’. Data was collected in Haaren, The Netherlands from12 week old greenhouse grown plants in 8.5 cm. containers. The time ofyear was Spring and the average temperature was 24 degrees Centigradeduring the day and 22 degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodictreatments were used. Color determinations are in accordance with TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thegrowing requirements are similar to the species. ‘Forest Flame’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Forest Flame’.-   Use: Ornamental.-   Parentage: ‘Forest Flame’ is a naturally occurring whole plant    mutation of Fittonia ‘Josan’.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Growth habit: Broad spreading, upright.-   Plant shape: Flattened globose.-   Suitable container size: 8.5 cm. diameter container.-   Height: Average 4.5 cm.-   Width: Average 7.9 cm.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 10.-   Propagation: Terminal cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 21 days to produce roots on an    initial cutting at 24 degrees Centigrade.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 35 days to produce a    rooted cutting at 24 degrees Centigrade.-   Crop time: 12 weeks.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Average number of lateral branches.—4.        -   Pinching.—No.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—2.0 mm. in diameter.        -   Lateral branch length.—2.9 cm. in length.        -   Lateral branch strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Stem color.—183A with internodes 144A.        -   Pubescence.—Dense, length 0.4 mm., color N155A.        -   Internode length.—1.4 cm. between nodes.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Surface.—Dull.        -   Stem strength.—Moderately strong.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Leaf apex.—Broad acute to rounded.        -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous, slightly rugose.        -   Leaf length.—Average 3.8 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—1.4 mm. in width.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 4.        -   Pubescence.—Short hairs on margins and undersides, 0.5 mm.            in length, N155A.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire, considerably wavy.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Young leaf color, (upper surface).—50A to 50B with small            spots, 144A. Margins colored 139A.        -   Young leaf color, (lower surface).—195B with small dots,            137B. Margins colored 137A.        -   Mature leaf color, (upper surface).—Between 139A and 147A.        -   Mature leaf color, (lower surface).—146A to 146B, margins            147A.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—145B to 145C, base 177C.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—53C, darker toward leaf margins            53B, main vein 185A toward the base.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—Average 6 mm. in length, 2 mm. in            diameter, 1 mm. in height.        -   Petiole color.—185A, lower surface 177C.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—High.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Fittonia have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Fittonia plant named ‘Forest Flame’ asdescribed and illustrated.